Jelly Bean still dominates, but KitKat is on the rise

Android 4.4.x KitKat is now baked into about a quarter of all Android devices nearly a year after it was first released -- KitKat debuted on Google's Nexus 5 handset on October 31, 2013. With 24.5 percent of all Android gadgets running KitKt, the latest release is second only to Jelly Bean and enjoys a larger market share than all previous versions combined (Ice Cream Sandwich, Gingerbread, Froyo, Donut, and Cupcake).

Updated: Now with video review!

Despite its problems, we actually liked Nvidia’s original Shield Android gaming handheld. Our biggest issue with it was that it was bulky and heavy. With rumors swirling around about a Shield 2, we were hoping to see a slimmer, lighter design. So consider us initially disappointed when we learned that the next iteration of Shield would just be yet another Android tablet. Yawn, right? The fact of the matter is that the Shield Tablet may be playing in an oversaturated market, but it’s still great at what it sets out to be.

The newest version of Android is tied with Froyo (Android 2.2) for market share

A quick visit to Google's Developers Dashboard for Android reveals that mobile device makers and wireless carriers alike are dragging their collective feet when it comes to embracing Android 4.4 KitKat. After three months, KitKat has inched its way onto 1.4 percent of all Android devices, barely edging out Android 2.2 Froyo, which claims a 1.3 percent share of the market. Meanwhile, Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.x to 4.3) is picking up most of the slack with a 59.1 percent share.

Turn your Nook into an Android 4.4 Kit Kat tablet

There's nothing wrong with owning a Nook, though if you've outgrown the custom OS and want to transform it into a standard Android tablet, you have options, one of them being a Nook-to-Android (N2A) card. Even better, the N2A team just updated its software to Android 4.4 KitKat, which is the latest version of Google's open source mobile operating system currently available.

HTC One promises an update to KitKat within 90 days

Android 4.4 (KitKat) has arrived, having hitched a ride on top of Google's Nexus 5 smartphone that was made available to order yesterday. That's great if you plan to purchase a Nexus 5, but what if you already own a smartphone and aren't in a position to upgrade? More specifically, what about HTC One owners? Well, the good news is that HTC apparently confirmed plans to port KitKat over to its One smartphone.

The next Nexus is here

It looks like the rumors were true. The Nexus 5 manufactured by LG is now available for sale in the Google Play store at a base price of $349 for the 16GB model in black or white. The 32GB version is $399, with both phones shipping on Nov. 8.